Hammer toe - Foot Problems Message Board

PattyAnn · 12-27-2000, 03:26 PM

I have a hammer toe. My podiatrist is sending me to a physical therapist. He says if this does not help I may need surgery to correct this condition. does any one have information on this subject?

blackbelt · 12-29-2000, 10:25 PM

When I was a child, all of my toes except my big toes were hammertoes. Somehow all but 2 on each foot straightened out. No one has ever had me go to physical therapy or suggested surgery for them. Perhaps it is because I have quite a few foot and orthopedic problems: flat feet, left foot about 1 size larger than right, right leg 3/8 of an inch longer than my left, and scoliosis. I also have mild cerebral palsy.
To help my toes survive, I just wear shoes that are a little wide in the toes.

Does your hammertoe cause pain,etc?

Hope everything goes well,
Blackbelt

Foot Pro · 12-30-2000, 09:26 PM

Why is he sending you to a physical therapist? They can't offer you any help. Surgery usually works fine. What are your complaints? Do the toes hurt? Can you make them straight by bending them? If not they are what we call rigid hammertoes. If you can bend them then that is what we call flexible hammertoes. Have you tried shoes with a deeper toebox? Do you have hard calluses on top of your toes? Hammertoes are not physical therapy problems. You are wasting your time and your insurance company's money by going to see one with the complaint of a hammertoe.

PattyAnn · 01-07-2001, 07:43 AM

I have been to physical therapy 3 times now.My doctor wanted me to learn some stretching techniques. I am doing the stretches at home and hope to gain strength in my foot to stop the hammer toe from becoming rigid. The phsical therapist manipulates my foot and I think it hurts more afterward.The pain shoots up my foot than to my knee and that starts to hurt also.I than begin to limp. I don't know what to do now.

Foot Pro · 01-12-2001, 10:50 PM

There is no clinical data that suggests stretching exercises to prevent hammertoes rom becoming rigid. Just out of curiosity, what type of stretches do you perform? As for the joint manipulation, I'd be very careful. You can develop a stress fracture of the metatarsal neck if overzealous manipulation of the joint occurs. Then you're in a walking cast for 4-6 weeks. If your hammertoe hurt inthe joint, then you should probably have it corrected. However, if it is a cosmetic problem and is not painful, then surgery may not be the answer. A deep, toe box shoe should help with the pain. GOod Luck